JP2014073315A - Enclosed type game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To cope with a case, where a frame is opened on the ground that, for example, ball clogging occurs on a game board surface in an enclosed type game machine, the game ball is discharged outside a game at that time, and hence the number of game balls enclosed inside a game machine decreases.SOLUTION: It is determined whether a storage ball prohibition signal has been received (S510). When the signal has been received (S510: yes), it is determined whether a storage ball detection sensor 540 has detected a storage ball and an on state has resulted (S515). In the case of on (S515: yes), a storage ball solenoid 541 is operated to release a stored game ball by storage release processing (S520). By storage ball prohibition notification processing, prohibition of storage of the game ball is reported (S525), a storage prohibition flag is set to 1 (S530), and the processing is completed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an enclosed game machine that plays a game by circulating a predetermined number of game balls enclosed in the game machine.

  Conventionally, a pachinko machine, which is a gaming machine, has a predetermined number of game balls enclosed in a machine base, and fires the enclosed game balls toward the game area of the game board and collects the released game balls. In addition, there is known a configuration in which a game is played by using a predetermined number of game balls in a circulating manner by firing the collected game balls again (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  This type of enclosed game machine is based on the number of game balls lent to the player and the winnings during the game, instead of storing the game balls that the player can play in the upper and lower plates. The configuration is such that the number of game balls that a player can play is calculated and displayed in accordance with the number of prize balls, and the number of held balls is increased or decreased as the game progresses.

Japanese Patent No. 4175524

  If a game ball is jammed on the game board surface, try to eliminate it by shaking or hitting the game machine, but if that still does not solve the problem, open the glass frame and clog the ball. There is a way to eliminate. However, there is a possibility that a game ball enclosed in a game machine (also called an enclosed ball) may be released outside the game machine by opening the glass frame when the game ball remains in the game area. There is. For this reason, in an enclosed game machine, it is assumed that the encapsulated ball is encapsulated more roughly than the number of game balls necessary for the game.

  However, if the number of encapsulated balls decreases due to repeated release of encapsulated balls several times due to the opening of the glass frame or a large number of game balls released to the outside of the gaming machine at once, a predetermined launch There is a possibility that the game cannot be normally played, such as the game ball cannot be fired at the timing. In this case, it is conceivable that a game facility employee refills the game machine with a game ball, but it is necessary to have the player interrupt the game while refilling the game ball. In addition, in such an enclosed game machine, there is a danger that illegal balls such as small balls will be confused, so it is assumed that it is necessary to make it difficult to replenish the balls to some extent, There is a high possibility that it will take time to replenish the game balls, and it will be troublesome if there are players.

  Therefore, a configuration is conceivable in which reserve balls are stored, and when the number of encapsulated balls in the gaming machine becomes a predetermined number or less, the stored reserve balls are released and the encapsulated balls are automatically replenished. However, basically, it is unlikely that game balls will be clogged in the game area, and there is rarely a shortage of encapsulated balls. Therefore, there is a high possibility that it will not be used even if the storage space is secured to provide a configuration for storing the reserve sphere and the cost for configuring the reserve portion for the reserve sphere is high.

  The present invention is characterized in that when the number of enclosed game balls is reduced to some extent, the game balls can be automatically replenished and the stored spare balls are effectively used.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a hit determination means for executing a determination of success / failure due to a winning at the start opening, and a big hit state in which a hit result is determined to be a win for the player if the result of the determination is true or not Transition means, and the game balls launched into the game area by the launching device are collected, and the collected game balls are fired again by the launching device, so that the game balls enclosed therein are used cyclically A game ball enclosing type game machine for performing a game, wherein a game ball storage means capable of storing a predetermined number of game balls won in a winning opening provided in the game area, and the game ball storage means Used by the stored ball effecting means for indicating whether the game ball released from the storage is to be shifted to the big hit state by the success / failure determination means when there is a game ball stored by The game ball is inside An enclosing ball number detecting means for detecting the amount of the game balls enclosed inside the game balls except for the game balls stored in the game ball storing means, and the game balls are equal to or less than a predetermined amount. A storage prohibiting means for prohibiting the storage of the game balls by the game ball storage means and releasing the storage if there is a stored game ball. It is a featured enclosed game machine.

It is preferable that the winning opening stored in the game ball storage means is a start opening that can always win.
The encapsulated ball number detecting means may be configured to accurately grasp the number of game balls, accurately detecting a predetermined amount or less, or a predetermined number or less of game balls are stored. A configuration may be adopted in which whether or not the amount of the game ball is equal to or less than a predetermined amount is detected by whether or not the game ball can be detected by a detection sensor provided at the position.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage ball prohibition notifying unit that notifies the game ball storage unit that storage of a game ball is prohibited by the storage ball prohibition unit. The gaming machine described in 1.

  The notification by the storage ball prohibition notification means is preferably notified not by voice but by display or a lamp. This is because if the notification is made by voice, the player will be worried about the voice and will not be able to concentrate on the game, so the employees of the game facility will have to replenish the game balls as soon as possible. . If the display or lamp is used to make the notification less noticeable, the player does not have to worry about the notification, so there is no need to rush to refill the game ball, and a convenient time (after the player has finished the game or It may be replenished after closing). Alternatively, the notification may be output to the hall computer. In this way, only the employees of the gaming facility can grasp and do not notify the player that storage of the game ball storage means is prohibited, so the player is prohibited from storing game balls. Even if it is, you will never worry about it.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized by comprising game impossibility control means for making the game impossible when it is determined by the enclosing ball number detection means that it is equal to or less than a second predetermined amount smaller than a predetermined amount. Item 3. The game machine according to item 1 or 2.

  The second predetermined amount is a number indicating whether or not the number is less than or equal to the number of encapsulated balls at which there is a risk that the game cannot be normally executed. The ability to execute the game normally means that the game ball can be fired without interruption at predetermined intervals.

  In the enclosed game machine according to claim 1, it is determined whether or not the number of encapsulated balls enclosed in the gaming machine is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, and if it is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the game balls stored in the game ball storing means are released. By doing so, the encapsulated ball is replenished and the storage by the game ball storage means is prohibited, so that even if the encapsulated game ball is reduced, it is not necessary to quickly replenish the game ball. In addition to the provision of the reserve ball, the game ball as the reserve ball is used for the storage ball effect device, so that the reserve ball can be used effectively.

  In the enclosed game machine according to claim 2, the storage ball prohibiting means notifies the game ball storage means that the game balls cannot be stored. Employees can be notified.

  In the enclosed game machine according to claim 3, since the game is disabled when the number of encapsulated balls is equal to or less than a second predetermined amount which is less than a predetermined amount, the game is not allowed to be performed normally. In this way, the fairness of the game can be protected.

It is a front view of a gaming machine to which the present invention is applied. Front view of storage ball effect device It is explanatory drawing of the launch device used for the gaming machine. It is a rear view of a gaming machine. It is an electrical block diagram of a gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the main routine performed with the main control apparatus of a game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the start winning confirmation process performed with a main controller. It is a 1st flowchart which shows the control content of the special symbol determination | judging determination process performed with the main controller. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows the control content of a right / wrong determination process. It is a 3rd flowchart which shows the control content of the right / wrong determination process. It is a 4th flow chart which shows the contents of control of right and wrong judgment processing. It is a flowchart which shows the enclosed ball number management process 1 performed with a payout control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the enclosed ball number management process 2 performed with the payout control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the stored ball management process 1 performed with a sub integrated control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the stored ball management process 2 performed with a sub integrated control apparatus.

A pachinko machine as a gaming machine according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. This pachinko machine has a predetermined number of game balls enclosed in the machine base, and fires the enclosed game balls toward the game area of the game board, winning game balls (winning balls), not winning Regardless of the out-ball, the game balls that have been launched are collected, and the collected game balls are fired again so that the game balls can be used by circulating the game balls inside.
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 1 has a structure in which each part of the configuration is held by an outer frame 10 that forms a vertically long fixed outer frame. The outer frame 10 is provided with a front frame (glass frame) 11 in which a plate glass 110 is fitted and an inner frame (not shown) that can be opened and closed via a hinge 101 provided at the upper and lower positions on the left side. The front frame 11 and the inner frame are closed and locked to the outer frame 10 by a cylinder lock 18 so that a predetermined key is inserted into the cylinder lock 18 and the key is operated clockwise to open the inner frame. None, the front frame 11 is opened by a counterclockwise operation.
A game board 2 held by the inner frame is provided behind the plate glass 110 of the front frame 11.

Speakers 112 are respectively installed at the left and right sides of the lower portion of the front frame 11, so that game sounds are output thereby improving the game's preference. In addition to the frame-side decorative lamp 113 that emits light according to the gaming state, the front frame 11 is provided with LEDs that notify the gaming abnormality.
A firing handle 14 is provided on the right side of the lower half portion of the front frame 11. By operating the firing handle 14 clockwise, the launching device 31 provided at the upper left end of the front frame 11 is operated to tilt left. A game ball is launched from above toward the game board 2.

The pachinko machine 1 is adjacent to a card unit (CR unit) 60 that performs information processing such as reading and writing of stored contents from the player's IC card. The IC card stores, as stored information, a credit balance indicating the amount of gaming balls that can be lent, and the number of possessed balls that have been won by winning balls because the player cannot directly obtain gaming balls in the enclosed type. With the IC card, at the start of the game, gaming balls can be rented within the range of the credit balance, and the credit balance is updated according to the rental. At the end of the game, the number of balls is stored.
In connection with the CR unit 60, the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a loan SW 171, a return SW 172 and a balance display device 173 on the left side of the lower half of the front frame 11.
In addition, a game button 15 that can be operated by the player is adjacent to the lending SW 171, the return SW 172, and the balance display device 173, and a jog dial 16 is provided so as to surround the outer periphery thereof.

  A game area 20 surrounded by a rail body 201 is formed on the game board 2. A center case is attached to the game area 20 at the center thereof, and an LCD panel of an effect symbol display device 21 (the whole illustration is omitted) is disposed in the center case. The center case is provided with a warp entrance, a warp cage (game ball passage), a stage, and the like, as is well known.

  A first starting port 23 is provided at a lower position in the center of the effect symbol display device 21 so as to be always open upward and enter a game ball. A game ball passes through the right position of the effect symbol display device 21. A possible passage gate 22 is installed, and a second start port 24 that can be opened and closed by a normal electric accessory (general electric accessory) is provided at a position directly below the pass gate 22 and can enter only when it is opened.

The first start port 23 and the second start port 24 are start ports for performing a lottery (whether or not determination) of a special symbol (hereinafter simply referred to as a special symbol). Each of the first and second special figure starting ports 23 and 24 extracts a plurality of types of random numbers when a game ball enters, and the extracted random numbers are stored as special figure holding memory.
The second starting port 24 is a lottery of a normal symbol (hereinafter simply referred to as a normal figure) executed due to the passing of a game ball to the passing gate 22, whereby the electric utility item is predetermined. Free time.

A plurality of normal winning ports 26 are arranged on the left and right sides of the first start port 23. In addition, on the right side of the first starting port and below the second starting port 24, a big winning port 25 that is opened and closed by an opening / closing plate is disposed, and an out port 29 is provided at the bottom of the board surface.
A number of game nails are planted in the game area 20 of the game board 2.

In addition, a storage ball effect device 91 is provided below the first start port. The stored ball effect device 91 will be described with reference to FIG.
The pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a ball storage device (not shown but corresponding to the game ball storage means in the claims) on the back side of the game board for storing the game balls won in the first start port 23. Up to 10 can be stored. The ball storage device is provided with a storage ball detection sensor 540 for determining whether or not a game ball is stored. Further, as will be described later, the storage ball is configured such that when the number of encapsulated balls becomes equal to or less than a predetermined number, the stored ball solenoid 541 is operated to release the stored game ball and not stored thereafter.
When the game ball stored in the ball storage device is released, the game ball is discharged to the crune 93 from a release ball discharge port (not shown). Although not shown, a hole connected to the discharge port 94 is formed at the center of the croon 93.

A vane portion 96 for distributing game balls is provided below the discharge port 94, and when closed, the closed state is maintained to guide the player to the lost port 95. When hitting, the closed state is maintained. . A lost ball detection switch for detecting that the ball has entered the lost hole 95 is provided behind the lose hole 95, and a hit ball detecting switch is provided behind the hit hole 97. The result of the determination of success / failure is notified by the detection of the lost ball detection switch or the hit ball detection switch.
The balls guided to the hitting hole 97 and the loser opening 95 are treated as enclosed balls that are circulated in the gaming machine.

  In this embodiment, the stored game balls are released one by one. However, a plurality of game balls may be released at a time, and the expected degree of success / failure determination is notified using the stored balls. If it does, it will not specifically limit. Moreover, it is preferable that the effect by the stored ball effect device is not implemented when the number of stored balls is equal to or less than a predetermined number (for example, 5). This is because if there is no stored ball due to the stored ball effect, it will not be possible to replenish the game ball when the encapsulated ball is reduced. However, in this embodiment, since the ball that has entered the starting port is stored in the ball storage device, there is almost no loss of storage, and it is not always necessary to leave the storage ball.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the launching device 31 is provided with a launching base 310 in the center, and game balls B are sent to the launching base 310 one by one through the opening 313 by the operation of the ball feeding mechanism 312. Then, the game ball B is launched by the operation of the launcher 311 driven by the launch motor 314 and is launched toward the game area 20 of the game board 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the back side of the pachinko machine 1 houses an inner frame 30 to which the game board 2 is detachably attached. As with the front frame 11, the inner frame 30 is installed so that one side edge (right side in FIG. 4) is hinged to the outer frame 10 and can be opened and closed.
The rear surface of the front frame 11 and the inner frame 30 are provided with a main control device 40, a payout control device 41, a sub-integrated control device 42, a production symbol control device 43, a launching device 31, and a power supply board (not shown). Yes.
The main control device 40, the sub integrated control device 42, and the effect symbol control device 43 are provided on the back surface of the game board 2, and the payout control device 41, the launching device 31, and the power supply board are provided on the inner frame 30.

In addition, a polishing device 45 for collecting the game balls launched on the game board and polishing the collected game balls is installed at the bottom of the back surface of the pachinko machine 1, and the polished game balls are further collected at the bottom of the pachinko machine. A lifting device 33 that feeds from the top to the upper launching device 31 is installed in the vertical direction along the right side of the back surface of the inner frame 30.
On the upper left side of the polishing apparatus 45, a ball supply unit 50 for supplying game balls enclosed in the pachinko machine is provided. The ball replenishment part is normally closed, but it is replenished by opening the ball replenishment and pouring game balls.
An excess ball receiving tray 51 is provided below the ball replenishing unit 50, and when the amount of game balls enclosed in the pachinko machine 1 by the replenishment from the ball replenishing unit reaches the amount detected by the full tank sensor, the enclosed game balls Is discharged to the excess ball receiving tray 51.
Although not implemented in the present embodiment, the game balls won in each of the winning holes provided in the out port 29 or the game board 2 are discharged to the excess ball tray 51 for a predetermined period after the front frame 11 is opened. It is good also as a structure to be. This is because, by opening the front frame 11 and winning directly to the out mouth 29 and each winning opening, it can be easily encapsulated as an encapsulated ball. This is to prevent you from doing it.

  FIG. 5 shows the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1, with a payout control device 41, a sub-integrated control device 42, and an effect symbol control device 43 as sub-control devices centered on the main control device 40 that controls the game. It is the structure which comprises. The main control device 40, the payout control device 41, the sub-integrated control device 42, and the production symbol control device 43 are all provided with a CPU, ROM, RAM, input port, output port, etc., all of which are controlled by the CPU. A program composed of a main routine and a subroutine mounted in the ROM is started due to an interrupt signal having a 2 ms period or a 4 ms period, and various controls are executed.

  Main controller 40 is electrically connected to front frame (glass frame) 11, glass frame open SW (switch) 501 and inner frame open SW 502 for detecting whether or not inner frame 30 is open. Via the plate 539, a first start port SW503 for detecting a ball entering the first start port 23, a second start port SW504 for detecting a ball entering the second start port 24, and entering the usual passage gate 22 Normal symbol operation SW 505 for detecting a ball, left and right normal winning holes 26, left winning port SW 506, right winning port SW 507, a count SW 508 for detecting balls entering the big winning device 25, and a magnet sensor 511 for detecting fraud. Are electrically connected to the radio wave sensor 512 and the like, and detection signals from the respective SWs and sensors are input.

  The main control device 40 operates in accordance with the installed program, generates various commands related to the progress of the game based on the above detection signals and the like, and issues a payout control device 41, a sub-integrated control device 42, and an effect symbol control device. 43, and the display control of the special symbol display device 27, the special symbol hold number display device 271, the normal symbol display device 28, and the general symbol hold number display device 281 via the symbol display device relay terminal board 542. To do. These display devices 72, 271, 28, and 281 are provided outside the game area on the front surface of the game board 2 (not shown).

Further, the main control device 40 drives the special prize opening solenoid 513 through the game board relay terminal plate 539 to open the special prize opening 25 and drives the utility socket solenoid 514 to operate the second start opening 24. The power utility is opened and closed, and the number of prize balls generated by winning at each prize opening is displayed on the prize ball number display device 212.
The main control device 40 is connected to the payout control device 41 so that bidirectional communication is possible.

The payout control device 41 is communicably connected to the CR unit 60 via the CR unit terminal plate 548. Further, it is configured to accept operation signals for lending requests and return requests by lending and returning SWs 171 and 172 via the balance display device 173. The payout control device 41 communicates with the CR unit 60 based on the operation signals of the lending request and the return request, grasps the credit balance regarding the IC card inserted into the CR unit 60, and responds to the lending request signal The credit balance is returned according to the setting of the number of rented balls and the return request signal.
The CR unit 60 is communicably connected to the hall computer 500 of the gaming facility, and is configured to transmit game information of the pachinko machine 1 to the hall computer 500 based on the contents of communication with the payout control device 41.

  Further, the payout control device 41 detects the operation amount of the handle volume 520 for detecting the operation signal of the counting SW 174 for performing the operation of counting the number of possessed balls and the operation amount of the firing handle 14 via the firing operation section relay terminal plate 543. A signal, a stop detection signal of the firing stop SW 522, and a detection signal such as a touch SW 521 for detecting that the player is touching (operating) the launching handle 14 are input. Further, the number of balls held is displayed on the number-of-balls display device 211 for displaying the number of balls held by the player.

Further, the payout control device 41, via the launch device relay terminal plate 544, launches a launch entrance sensor 524 that detects the presence or absence of a game ball at the entrance of the launch device 31, a launch motor 314, and a ball that drives the ball feed mechanism 312. A feed solenoid 526 is connected. Then, the payout control device 41 uses the firing motor 314 based on the command reflecting the game situation sent from the main control device 40, the signals of the handle volume 520, the touch SW 521, the firing stop SW 522, the firing inlet sensor 524, and the like. The ball feeding solenoid 526 is driven and controlled to launch and stop the game ball.
Further, a ball feed sensor 523 for detecting the driving of the ball feed mechanism 312 is connected. The number of balls held is subtracted based on the detection of the ball feeding sensor 523. Therefore, when the game ball is sent to the launch pad by driving the ball feeding mechanism 312, the launch motor is always driven to fire the game ball.

Furthermore, the payout control device 41 receives the detection signals of the cassette switch 527 and the polishing motor sensor 528 via the polishing device relay terminal plate 545 in addition to the control regarding communication processing with the CR unit 60 and the launch of the game ball. According to these detection signals, the cassette motor 529 and the polishing motor 530 are driven to control the polishing apparatus 45.
In addition to the control of the polishing device 45, the dispensing control device 41 receives detection signals from the lifting inlet sensor 532 and the lifting motor monitoring sensor 533 via the lifting relay terminal plate 546, and according to these detection signals. The lifting motor 531 is driven to control the lifting device 33.

  Furthermore, the payout control device 41 receives the winning balls that have won the winning holes such as the first starting port 23, the second starting port 24, the big winning port 25 or the normal winning port 26 via the inner frame relay terminal plate 547. A winning ball sensor 509 to detect, an out ball sensor 510 to detect an out ball that has been out without winning, an appropriate amount detection sensor 534 to detect whether the game ball in the pachinko machine 1 is an appropriate amount, and a game ball in the pachinko machine Detection signals such as a full sensor 535 that detects whether the amount of the game is full, a ball shortage sensor 550 that detects whether the amount of game balls in the pachinko machine is a normal game, and a night monitoring switch 536 are input. It is a configuration.

In the present embodiment, the amount of game balls enclosed in the pachinko machine 1 is grasped step by step based on whether or not the game balls can be detected by the full sensor 535, the appropriate amount detection sensor 534, and the ball shortage sensor 550. Each of the above sensors is provided on a path for guiding the game balls discharged from the winning holes and the outlets 29 provided on the inner frame side and the game balls supplied from the ball supply unit 50 to the polishing device 45. The amount of encapsulated balls is detected from the amount of game balls stored on the passage. Therefore, since the game ball stored in the ball storage device is provided in the game board 2, it is not detected as the amount of the enclosed ball. The full tank sensor 535, the appropriate amount detection sensor 534, and the ball shortage sensor 550 correspond to the enclosed ball number detection means in the claims.
The winning ball sensor 509 collects the game balls that have entered the winning ports such as the first and second starting ports 23 and 24, the big winning port 25 or the normal winning port 26, and sends them to the polishing device 45. It is installed in the downstream part of the ball passage provided on the back surface of the game board, and is configured to detect the winning balls to each winning opening collectively.
The out ball sensor 510 is provided in a ball path for sending an out ball from the out port 29 to the polishing device 45.

A detection signal for detecting an operation of the jog dial 16 and the game button 15 is input to the sub integrated control device 42.
Then, the sub integrated control device 42 drives the speaker 112 to output sound, and controls lighting and extinguishing of various LEDs and various lamps 113. Furthermore, a command for a pseudo effect for displaying a character or the like or a display pattern for a special symbol for the special symbol is transmitted to the effect symbol control device 43.
In addition, the presence or absence of storage of a game ball to be used in the production by the storage ball production device 91 is grasped by a signal input from the storage ball detection sensor 540, and the stored game ball is released by controlling the storage ball solenoid 541. To do.

  The effect symbol control device 43 constitutes the effect symbol display device 21 together with the LCD panel unit and the accessory unit. The effect symbol control device 43 controls the display of the LCD panel of the effect symbol display device 21 in accordance with a command sent from the sub integrated control device 42.

When a game is started in the pachinko machine 1, the game ball is lent out within the range of the credit balance of the IC card and the game is started as a possessed ball that can be used for the game, or to the CR unit 60. If the card has a stored number of balls when the IC card is inserted, the card is read and the game is started as a ball.
In the game of the pachinko machine 1, when there is a ball entering the first start port 23 and the second start port 24, a random number value for determining whether or not a special figure is detected is extracted. The determination is made, and the special symbol display device 27 starts the symbol variation of the special symbol, and the effect symbol display device 21 starts the symbol variation of the pseudo effect symbol corresponding to the special symbol.
If the determination result of the special figure is a big hit, the big hit symbol is determined, the big hit symbol is determined and displayed on each display device 21, and the big hit game (special game) is executed. The big hit game has a basic game in which a predetermined number of rounds are continued for a predetermined time or until the predetermined number of times or the number of balls entered reaches a predetermined number and is closed.
In addition, the common electric thing of the 2nd start opening 24 is opened if the result of a lottery of a usual figure is successful, and a lottery of the usual drawing is carried out due to the entrance to the passing gate 22.
And this pachinko machine 1 performs the effect display accompanying the fluctuation of the special figure in the effect symbol display device 21 according to the game.

Hereinafter, the program processing deeply related to the present invention executed by the main controller 40 and the payout controller 41 will be described.
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a “main routine” executed by the main controller 40. The “main routine” is composed of this process (S100 to S110, S115) and the remaining process (S111), and has a cycle of 2 ms or 4 ms. It is started due to the interrupt signal, and it is first determined whether or not it is a normal interrupt (S100). This determination is made based on whether or not a specific numerical value is written at a specific address in the RAM. If the determination is negative (S100: no), the initial setting (S115) is executed. The numerical value for determining whether or not it is a normal interrupt is written in the RAM as part of this initial setting.

  If it is a normal interrupt (S100: yes), an initial value random number update process (S101), a big hit determination random number update process (S102) that is a random value for determining whether or not the special figure is correct, and an update of the special figure big hit symbol determination random number Process (S103), update process of random numbers for hitting determination of ordinary figure (S104), update process of random numbers for reach determination relating to reach of special figure (S105), update process of random numbers for determining variation pattern relating to fluctuation pattern of special figure ( S106), winning confirmation processing (S107), winning / failing determination processing (S108), fraud monitoring processing (S109), and each output processing (S110) are performed within the remaining time until the next interrupt signal is input. The random number update process (S111) is looped.

Next, a part of subroutines of the winning confirmation process (S107), the success / failure determination process (S108), and each output process (S110) will be described.
The “start winning confirmation process” shown in FIG. 6 is a subroutine of the winning confirmation process (S107). If there is a winning at the first starting opening 23 and the second starting opening 24 (S200: yes), the special corresponding to the winning is shown. It is confirmed whether the pending storage in the figure is full (S201). The number of pending storages that can be stored in this embodiment is four.

  If the hold memory is not full (S201: no), in the extracted random number hold storage process of S202, a plurality of random number values (a big hit determination random number, a big hit symbol determination random number, and a reach determination use) extracted due to the above-mentioned incoming ball Random numbers, random numbers for determining variation patterns, etc.) are stored as reserved storage. In this process, the number of lights on the special figure hold number display device 271 is increased by one, and a command sending process for sending the current hold memory number to the sub integrated device 42 is performed. Then return.

  7 to 10 show a flowchart of the “win / fail determination process”. As shown in FIG. 7, in the “win / fail determination process”, first, the operation of the accessory continuous operation device is confirmed to determine whether or not a big hit game is being played (S300). no), it is confirmed whether or not the special figure is changing (S301). If it is not changing (S301: no), it is checked whether or not the fixed symbol of the special figure is being displayed (S302). . In addition, if the said accessory continuous action | operation apparatus is operating (S300: yes), it will transfer to "special game processing."

  If the confirmed symbol is not being displayed in the process of S302 (S302: no), as shown in FIG. 8, it is confirmed whether or not there is a special figure pending storage (S310). If there is no pending storage (S310: no), the process proceeds to “special game processing”. If there is a reserved memory (S310: yes), the number of memories is subtracted and a shift process of the reserved memory is performed (S311). By the shift process, the oldest reserved memory among the reserved memories of the special figure is the target of the determination of success / failure.

Next, in the process of S312, the probability variation flag is confirmed to confirm whether or not the current gaming state is the probability variation state (high probability) (if the probability variation flag is “1”, the probability variation is in progress). If the probability change is in progress (S312: yes), it is determined whether or not it is a big hit by comparing the success / failure determination table at the time of the probability change with the big hit determination random number of the pending storage to be the target of the success / failure determination (S313).
If the probability change is not in progress (S312: no), it is determined whether or not it is a big hit by comparing the normal probability (low probability) determination table with the big hit determination random number (S314).

In the subsequent process of S315, it is confirmed whether or not the determination of whether or not the process of S313 or S314 is a big hit.
If it is a big hit (S315: yes), in the process of S316, the big hit symbol is determined based on the random number for determining the big hit symbol in the reserved storage that is the object of the determination.
In the process of S317, a variation pattern such as a variation time for a special figure jackpot displayed on the effect symbol display device 21 is determined based on the variation random number for determining the variation pattern of the reserved memory that is the object of the determination.

  After determining the variation pattern, a big hit setting process is performed in S318. In this process, a jackpot game release pattern is set based on the determined jackpot symbol. For example, the time setting for the opening effect of the jackpot game executed by the effect symbol display device 21, the setting of the time for the ending effect, and the setting of the opening mode of the big prize opening 25 are made. In addition, processing such as setting whether or not probability change and time reduction are given as the bonus game state after the big hit game is finished, setting of a probability change counter for limiting the duration of probability change, setting of time reduction counter for limiting the duration of time reduction, etc. are performed. The

  In the process of S315, if it is not a big hit but a loss (S315: no), in the process of S319, a lost symbol is determined based on the random symbol for determining the lost symbol of the pending storage that is the object of the success / failure determination, A variation pattern such as a variation time for a special figure loss displayed on the effect symbol display device 21 is determined (S320). In the subsequent lose setting process (S321), if the gaming state is probabilistic and the time is short, the number of probable changes and the number of times that the time is short are subtracted.

  After each setting process of S318 or S321, in the process of S322, the symbol variation start control of the special symbol display device 16 is performed, the symbol variation start command and the symbol designation command are transmitted to the sub integrated control device 83, and “special game” In the case of a big hit, a big hit game is performed in which the big winning opening 25 is opened.

  When the special symbol is changing in the process of S301 of FIG. 7 (S301: yes), as shown in FIG. 9, when it is confirmed that the symbol change time has passed (S330: yes), the fixed symbol display process In (S331), control for terminating the variation display of the special symbol display device 27 is performed, and a symbol confirmation command is transmitted to the sub integrated control device 42 and the effect symbol control device 43 so as to terminate the variation display and the effect display. Move to “Special Game Processing”.

If the confirmed symbol is being displayed in the process of S302 of FIG. 7 (S302: yes), the process proceeds to S340 of FIG. 10 to check whether or not the confirmed symbol display time has ended. If the fixed symbol display time has not ended (S340: no), the process proceeds to "special game processing".
On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the fixed symbol display time has ended (S340: yes), the fixed symbol display on the special symbol display device 27 is controlled to be ended by the final symbol display end processing (S341), and the sub-integration is performed. A command is transmitted to the control device 42 so as to end the fixed display of the pseudo symbol corresponding to the special figure.

  Subsequently, it is confirmed whether or not the symbol of the special figure is a combination that makes a big hit (S342). If it is a combination that makes a big hit (S342: yes), if the probability variation flag is “1” (S343: yes), the probability variation flag is set to “0” (S344). Next, if the hour / hour flag is “1” (S345: yes), “0” is set to the hour / hour flag (S346). By these processes, the gaming state in the big hit game (special game) is reset to the normal state.

In the process of S347, the operation of the condition device is started, and in the process of S348, the operation of the accessory continuous operation device is started. The condition device is a device that is necessary for the operation of the continuous action device in the jackpot game, and the continuous accessory operation device is a device that continuously operates the special electric accessory.
Then, a command is sent to the sub integrated control device 42 to start the big hit effect by the big hit start effect process (S349), and the process proceeds to the “special game process”.

If it is not a big hit combination in the process of S342 (S342: no), it is checked whether the probability variation flag is “1” (S350), the probability variation flag is “1” (S350: yes), If the probability variation counter (number of times) is “0” (S351: yes), the probability variation flag is set to “0” (S352).
In the subsequent process, if the hour / hour flag is “1” (S353: yes) and the hour / hour counter (number of times) is “0” (S354: yes), the hour / hour flag is set to “0” (S355).
In the subsequent state designation command transmission process of S356, a state designation command including information such as a probability change flag indicating a gaming state and a time reduction flag is transmitted to the sub integrated control device 83.

  In the process of S357, it is confirmed whether the number of reserved memories after the current lottery lottery is “0” (confirmed whether there is a reserved memory). If there is no reserved memory (S357: yes), the sub integrated control device 83 Then, a standby state designation command is transmitted to instruct to wait for the symbol variation of the special symbol until the next special symbol variation start command is output (S358). Thereafter, the process proceeds to “special game processing”.

  Next, with regard to management of the number of game balls enclosed in the gaming machine, program processing executed by the payout control device 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. In “encapsulated ball number management process 1” shown in FIG. 12, it is first determined whether or not the game stop flag is 0 (S400). The game stop flag is used for determining whether or not the game is stopped. If the game stop flag is not 0, that is, 1 (S400: no), this process is terminated. If it is 0 (S400: yes), the game ball enclosed depending on whether the ball shortage sensor 550 is off or not. Is in a shortage state (S405). When the ball shortage sensor 550 is off and no enclosing ball is detected (S405: yes), the game stop signal is transmitted by the game stop signal transmission process, assuming that there are not enough game balls in the gaming machine 1 to be played. It transmits to the control apparatus 40 (S410), a game stop flag is set to 1 (S415), and this process is complete | finished.

  If the ball shortage sensor 550 is on (S405: no), it is determined whether the appropriate amount sensor 534 is off (S420). If it is off (S420: yes), it is determined whether the storage prohibited flag is 0 (S425). Note that this storage ball prohibited flag is a flag for use in determining whether or not the game ball is prohibited to be stored in the storage ball device. If the storage prohibition flag is 0 (S425: yes), a storage ball prohibition signal is transmitted to the main controller 40 (S430), the storage prohibition completed flag is set to 1 (S435), and this process is terminated. The game stop signal and the storage ball prohibition signal are transmitted to the sub integrated control device 42 via the main control device. When the appropriate amount sensor is on (S420: no), or when the stop prohibited flag is 1 (S425: no), this process is terminated.

Subsequently, in the enclosed ball number management process 2 shown in FIG. 13, it is determined whether or not the game stop flag is 1 (S450). If it is 1 (S450: yes), it is determined whether the appropriate amount sensor is on (S455). If it is on (S455: yes), a game stop release signal is sent to the main control device by a game stop release signal transmission process. Transmit (S460). Then, the game stop flag is set to 0 (S465), and the storage prohibition flag is set to 0 (S470). When the game stop flag is not 1 (S450: no), or when the appropriate amount sensor is off (S455: no), this process ends.

  Note that the game can be started if the amount of game balls is detected by the ball shortage sensor 550, but in this embodiment, the game stop flag is not cleared until the appropriate amount sensor is turned on. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if a ball shortage sensor is detected, the game can be resumed by clearing the game stop flag.

  Next, processing executed by the sub integrated control device 42 in relation to the enclosed ball number management processing by the payout control device 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. First, in the stored ball management process 1 shown in FIG. 14, it is determined in S410 whether a game stop signal has been received via the main controller 40 (S500). If it has been received (S500: yes), in the game stop process, the display by the effect display device 21 and the notification that the game will be stopped by the speaker 112 are made so that the effect related to the game is not displayed. If a game stop signal has not been received (S500: no), it is determined whether a storage ball prohibition signal has been received (S510). If it has been received (S510: yes), it is determined whether the stored ball is detected by the stored ball detection sensor 540 and is in an on state (S515). If it is on (S515: yes), it is stored in the storage release process. The ball solenoid 541 is operated to release the stored game ball (S520). Then, the storage ball prohibition notification process notifies that the storage of the game ball is prohibited (S525), sets the storage prohibition flag to 1 (S530), and ends this process. In S515, when the stored ball detection sensor is turned off (S515: no), the process proceeds to the storage prohibition notification process in S525.

  Subsequently, in the stored ball management process 2 of FIG. 15, it is determined whether a game stop cancellation signal transmitted via the main control device 40 is received in S460 (S550). If it has been received (S550: yes), the game stop cancellation process releases the game stop and notifies that the game can be resumed using the effect symbol display device 21 and the speaker 112 (S555). Then, the storage prohibition flag is set to 0 (S560), and the storage prohibition notification is terminated by the storage prohibition notification release process (S565).

  In this embodiment, if the appropriate amount sensor is detected in the game stop state, the game stop state is canceled and the storage prohibition is also released, but the appropriate amount sensor is turned on in the storage prohibition state instead of the game stop state. Even if it becomes, it is the structure which does not cancel | release a storage prohibition. This is because when the appropriate amount sensor is turned off and the game balls released from storage are replenished, the appropriate amount sensor is turned on, and when the storage prohibition is canceled and stored again in the ball storage device, This is to prevent the situation that the quantity sensor is turned off from being repeated. For this reason, in this embodiment, in order to cancel the storage prohibition, it is necessary to turn on an appropriate amount sensor and perform a ram clear process for initializing game contents. The cancellation of the storage prohibition is not limited to this, and a configuration in which a storage prohibition release SW is provided and released by an operation thereof may be used, or a configuration by simply turning on the power again may be used.

  In this manner, the pachinko machine 1 is configured such that when the game ball enclosed in the pachinko machine 1 is released from the pachinko machine 1 when the front frame 11 is opened, When the amount reaches the fixed amount (the amount detected by the appropriate amount sensor), the game balls stored in the ball storage device (not shown) are released and the game balls to be filled are replenished. In this embodiment, ten game balls can be stored in the storage unit. Depending on the frequency of appearance of the stored ball effect, except for immediately after a new game machine, etc., there is basically no game in the ball storage device. Since it is almost the case that ten balls are full (because a game ball always wins at the start port 23 if there is a normal game), if the game ball is not detected by the appropriate amount sensor 534 It is possible to release the storage and return it to an appropriate amount.

  In addition, the sub-integrated control device 42 receives the storage ball prohibition signal, and when the game ball stored in the ball storage device is released, the sub integration control device 42 enters the storage prohibition state. Since it is also notified that the storage is prohibited, it is possible for the gaming facility to know that it is necessary to replenish the game balls. Then, when the number of game balls is reduced to an amount that cannot be detected by the ball shortage sensor 550, the game ball enclosed in the pachinko machine 1 is made incapable of being played by not displaying an effect related to the determination of success / failure. You will not be allowed to play in a state where you cannot play normally due to lack.

  In this way, not only the game facility is informed early, but also after the notification, it is possible to return to an appropriate amount by replenishing the encapsulated sphere by releasing the stored sphere, so that the first shortage of spheres can be resolved. Therefore, unlike a gaming machine that only notifies that the number of balls has decreased, it is possible to cope with a margin.

In this embodiment, even if the amount is not detected by the appropriate amount sensor, the game can be executed if detected by the ball shortage sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the game ball is stored in the storage unit. It is good also as a structure which stops a game when it becomes the quantity which cannot be detected with an appropriate quantity sensor in the state which is not.
In addition, by notifying the stop of the game or the prohibition of storage through the effect display device 21 or the speaker 112, the player of the game facility is urged to replenish the ball, but the hall computer 500 is informed via the CR unit 60. By outputting such information, the game facility may be urged to replenish balls.

  When the amount of game balls enclosed in the ball becomes an amount that cannot be detected by the ball shortage sensor, it has been impossible to play with the effect display device or speaker, etc. The game is not particularly limited as long as the game cannot be played normally by stopping the game.

1 Pachinko machine (enclosed game machine)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Game board 20 Game area 21 Production | presentation symbol display apparatus 23 1st starting opening 24 2nd starting opening 31 Launching apparatus 40 Main control apparatus 41 Discharge control apparatus 42 Sub integrated control apparatus 43 Production | presentation symbol control apparatus 60 CR unit (information processing apparatus)
91 Storage ball direction device 534 Appropriate amount sensor 550 Ball shortage sensor

Claims (3)

A success / failure determination means for performing a determination of success / failure due to winning at the start opening;
A jackpot state transition means for shifting to a jackpot state that is advantageous to the player if the result of the hit / fail judgment is a hit,
A game ball encapsulated in which the game balls launched into the game area by the launching device are collected, and the collected game balls are re-launched by the launching device, so that the game balls enclosed in the inside are used in a circulating manner. A game machine of the type,
Game ball storage means capable of storing a predetermined number of game balls won in a winning opening provided in the game area;
When there is a game ball stored by the game ball storage means, a stored ball effect means that suggests by the game ball that has been released from the storage whether to shift to a big hit state by the success / failure determination means;
The game sphere used by the storage ball production means is used as a game sphere enclosed inside,
Enclosed ball number detection means for detecting the amount of game balls enclosed inside the game ball stored in the game ball storage means, excluding the game balls stored in the game ball storage means;
When the enclosing ball number detecting means detects that the number of game balls is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, storage of the game balls by the game ball storing means is prohibited, and if there is a stored game ball, all storage is released And an enclosed game machine.   2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a storage ball prohibition notification unit that notifies the game ball storage unit that storage of a game ball is prohibited by the storage ball prohibition unit.   3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising an inoperable control means for disabling the game when it is determined by the enclosing ball number detecting means that the amount is equal to or less than a second predetermined amount smaller than a predetermined amount. .

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